Section1: Safety
7. Takeall possible precautions when
leavingthe machineunattended. Stopthe
engine. Disconnect spark plugwire and
moveit away from thespark plug. Be
sureboth wheelsare in the Wheel Drive
position.
8. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspect-
ing,stop the engineand make certain all
movingparts havestopped. Disconnect
thespark plugwire andprevent it from
touching the spark plug to preventacci-
dentalstarting.
9. Theflap on the tine hood must be
downwhen operating the tiller.
10. Never usethe tiller unless proper
guards, plates,or other safety protective
devicesare in place.
11. Do not run engine in an enclosed
area.Engineexhaust contains carbon
monoxidegas, a deadly poison that is
odorless,colorless, and tasteless.
12. Keepchildren andpets away.
13. Never operatethe tiller under
enginepowerif thewheels are in the
Freewheelposition.In the Freewheel
position,the wheelswill not holdthe
tiller backand the revolvingtines could
propelthe tiller rapidly, possibly
causinglossof control.Alwaysengage
thewheels with the wheel drive pins in
theWheel Drive position beforestarting
theengine or engagingthe tines/wheels
with the Forward Clutch Bail or the
ReverseClutchControl.
14. Beaware that thetiller may unexpect-
edlybounce upward or jump backward
and bepropelled toward you if the tines
shouldstrike extremely hard packedsoil,
frozenground, or buried obstacles like
largestones, roots, or stumps. If indoubt
aboutthe tilling conditions, always use
thefollowing operating precautionsto
assistyou in maintaining control of the
tiller:
a. Walk behindandto oneside ofthe
tiller, usingone handonthe han-
dlebars.Relax yourarm, butuse a
securehandgrip.
b. Use a deepdepthregulator
setting.
c. Useslowerengine speeds.
d. Clearthe tilling area of all large
stones,rootsand otherdebris.
e. Avoidusingdownwardpressure
onhandlebars.If needbe, use
slightupwardpressureto keepthe
tinesfrom diggingtoo deeply.
f. Beforecontactinghardpackedsoil
atthe end of a row, reduceengine
speedand lilt handlebarsto raise
tinesout of the soil.
g. Inan emergency,stoptines and
wheelsby releasing whichever
clutchcontrolis engaged.Do not
attemptto restrainthe tiller.
15. Donot overload the tiller's capacity
byattempting to till too deeplyat too fast
arate.
16. Neveroperatethe tiller at high
transport speeds on slippery surfaces.
Lookbehind and use great carewhen
backingup.
17. Do not operatethe tiller ona slope
that is too steepfor safety.When on
slopes,slow down and make sureyou
havegood footing. Neverpermit the tiller
to freewheel down slopes.
18. Neverallow bystandersnear the unit.
19. Only use attachments and acces-
soriesthat areapproved by the manufac-
turer of the tiller.
20. Usetiller attachmentsand acces-
sorieswhen recommended.
21. Neveroperatethe tiller without good
visibility or light.
22. Neveroperatethe tiller if you are
tired, or underthe influence of alcohol,
drugsor medication.
23. Operatorsshall nottamper with the
engine-governorsettings on the machine;
the governorcontrols the maximum safe
operatingspeed to protectthe engineand
all moving partsfrom damage causedby
overspeed. Authorized service shall be
sought if a problem exists.
24. Do not touch engineparts which may
behot from operation. Let partscool
downsufficiently.
25. Pleaseremember: You can always
stopthe tines andwheels by releasingthe
ForwardClutch control or the Reverse
Clutchcontrol (whichever control you
haveengaged), or by moving the throttle
control lever on the engine to "OFF" or
"STOP".
26. To load or unloadthe tiller, seethe
instructions in Section4 of this Manual.
27. Useextremecaution when reversing
or pulling the machinetowards you.
28. Startthe engine carefully according to
instructions andwith feetwell awayfrom
thetines.
29. Never pick up or carrya machine
whilethe engineis running.

Maintenance and Storage

1. Keepthetiller, attachmentsand acces-
sories in safe working condition.
2. Checkallnuts, bolts, and screws at
frequent intervalsfor proper tightness to
besure the equipment is in safeworking
condition.
3. Neverstore thetiller with fuel inthe
fueltank insidea buildingwhere ignition
sourcesare presentsuch as hot water
andspace heaters,furnaces, clothes
dryers,stoves, electric motors, etc.).
Allowengine to cool before storing inany
enclosure.
4. Toreduce the chancesof afire hazard,
keepthe enginefree of grass, leaves, or
excessivegrease.
5. Storegasoline in a cool, well-ventilated
area,safely away from any spark- or
flame-producing equipment. Store
gasolinein an approved container, safely
awayfrom the reachof children.
6. Refer to the Maintenancesections of
this Manual and the separate Engine
Owner'sManual for instructions if the
tiller isto bestored for anextended
period.
7. Never perform maintenancewhile the
engine is running or the sparkplug wire
is connected,exceptwhen specifically
instructedto doso.
8. Ifthe fuel tank hasto bedrained, do
this outdoors.